Bay Shore artist Jeanette Martone exhibition opens in Smithtown

The Smithtown Township Arts Council announced Jan. 13 that Bay Shore artist Jeanette Martone will exhibit a selection of pencil and ink on paper work at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111. The show, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, opens Jan. 19 and runs through March 13, offering residents extended access to local visual art in a high-traffic community venue.

Martone is known for realistic drawings that focus on animals and everyday life. The Arts Council noted her previous exhibitions and publications as part of the artist’s record, positioning this show within a broader trajectory of regional exposure. Displaying her work in a bank branch underscores the Outreach Gallery Program’s aim to integrate art into civic and commercial spaces, reaching audiences who might not visit traditional galleries.

Placing the exhibition at Apple Bank situates art where routine errands and banking take place, a strategy that increases visibility and foot traffic for both the artist and the host location. For local artists, the program creates another venue to show work, reach potential patrons, and build name recognition. For Smithtown residents, the exhibit provides an opportunity to see detailed representational drawing up close without traveling to city galleries.

The Arts Council included gallery hours for public viewing in its announcement; residents seeking specific visiting times are encouraged to contact the council or the Apple Bank branch directly. The Outreach Gallery Program has in recent years prioritized rotating exhibitions in community sites, and this installment continues that approach by spotlighting a mid-Island artist whose subject matter reflects familiar domestic and natural scenes.

Beyond aesthetics, the exhibition has practical implications for community cultural life. Local displays like this can stimulate small-scale cultural traffic that supports nearby businesses, fosters partnerships between civic organizations and private institutions, and broadens civic engagement with the arts. They also give public institutions a role in cultural programming without significant municipal spending.

The Jeanette Martone show opens Jan. 19 and remains on view through March 13 at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111. Residents wanting to plan a visit should verify public viewing hours with the Smithtown Township Arts Council or the bank. As the Outreach Gallery Program continues to place exhibitions in everyday community spaces, this show offers a tangible example of how local art programs connect artists and audiences across Suffolk County.